The Dream of Christmas is the sixth solo studio and first Christmas album by English singer-songwriter Gary Barlow, released on 26 November 2021 through Polydor Records. The album includes collaborations with actress and singer Sheridan Smith, vocal trio the Puppini Sisters, cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason and Welsh singer Aled Jones. It was preceded by the singles "Sleigh Ride", the title track, "The Dream of Christmas",[1] and on 24 November 2021, "How Christmas Is Supposed to Be" featuring Sheridan Smith.[2] Barlow toured in the UK in support of the album on his All the Hits Live Tour from 27 November 2021.[3]
Background
Barlow began writing original songs for and working on the album due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, also saying that he "had never listened to those classic Christmas songs with the idea of singing them myself, but as this record evolved, so did my appreciation for these wonderful songs. It all started off as a bit of a dalliance in the studio and before I knew it, I had a whole album!"[4]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Dream of Christmas" | Gary Barlow | 3:32 |
| 2. | "Sleigh Ride" | Leroy Anderson | 2:56 |
| 3. | "Wonderful Christmastime" | Paul McCartney | 2:25 |
| 4. | "How Christmas Is Supposed to Be" (featuring Sheridan Smith) | Barlow | 2:39 |
| 5. | "This Christmas" |
| 2:43 |
| 6. | "Come on Christmas" | Barlow | 3:44 |
| 7. | "My Dear Acquaintance" |
| 2:39 |
| 8. | "Winter Wonderland" (featuring the Puppini Sisters) | Felix Bernard | 2:06 |
| 9. | "The Colder It Feels" (featuring Sheku Kanneh-Mason) | Barlow | 2:53 |
| 10. | "Merry Christmas Everyone" | Bob Heatlie | 2:41 |
| 11. | "A Child's Christmas in Wales" (featuring Aled Jones) |
| 3:53 |
| Total length: | 32:11 | ||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12. | "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm" | Irving Berlin | 2:39 |
| 13. | "I Believe in Father Christmas" | 3:25 | |
| 14. | "In the Bleak Midwinter" | Christina Rossetti | 3:24 |
| 15. | "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" | 3:07 | |
| 16. | "Christmas Sweater" | 4:04 | |
| Total length: | 48:50 | ||
Charts
| Chart (2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[5] | 90 |
| Irish Albums (OCC)[6] | 34 |
| Scottish Albums (OCC)[7] | 5 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[8] | 99 |
| UK Albums (OCC)[9] | 5 |
References
- ^ Eames, Tom (29 October 2021). "Gary Barlow announces new album 'The Dream of Christmas' including covers of festive favourites". Smooth Radio. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
- ^ Eames, Tom (24 November 2021). "Gary Barlow and Sheridan Smith release super festive new song 'How Christmas is Supposed to Be'". Smooth Radio. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
- ^ Peacock, Tim (29 October 2021). "Gary Barlow Set To Release First Festive Album, 'The Dream Of Christmas'". UDiscoverMusic. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
- ^ Griffiths, George (29 October 2021). "Gary Barlow and Sheridan Smith to enter Official Christmas Number 1 race with new song". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Gary Barlow – The Dream of Christmas" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
- ^ "Official Irish Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Gary Barlow – The Dream of Christmas". Hung Medien. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 3 December 2021.
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